The Willful Pupil Project
From The Theme SOCIAL AND COMPUTING SCIENCES WHAT IF What if we could develop and use “teachable” computer agents to test the wisdom that people learn by teaching? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to develop and implement a “Teachable Agent” that was “willful” – exhibiting intentions in dialog that would sometimes […]
Spatial Meaning Constraints in Visual Language Reading
From The Theme SOCIAL AND COMPUTING SCIENCES WHAT IF What if we could study how people process text and images in order to better understand the parameters of visual language? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to explore the perceptual constraints available for processing meaning from the textual and spatial features of […]
Communication, Computation and Cognition
From The Theme SOCIAL AND COMPUTING SCIENCES WHAT IF? What if we could explore the intersection between communication, computation and cognition? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to build research networks between people in Stanford and Europe, and together explore links between language, information and cognitive science. WHAT WE FOUND We organized […]
Learning in the Digital World: The Impact of Social Belief on the Neurophysiology of Memory
From The Theme ADVANCED HUMAN COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES WHAT IF? What if we could examine how belief in the presence, nature and agency of a virtual teacher influences learning and memory? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to explore how engagement with a virtual character modulates how information is learned. Specifically, this project […]
The Utility of Calming Technologies in Integrative Productivity
From The Theme KNOWLEDGE WORKER PRODUCTIVITY WHAT IF What if we could use technologies for sensing, feedback and interpretation of cognition, affect and physiology to avoid stress, maintain focus and increase calm? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to identify the parameters of systems that could improve mental patterns by influencing cognitive […]
Developing a Diagnostic of Mindset Promoting Practices
From The Theme DIGITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHAT IF What if we could understand how student attitudes towards mental effort and challenge affect learning outcomes? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to better understand growth mindsets and learning outcomes by investigating and potentially influencing student attitudes and beliefs around challenge and mental effort. […]
Language, Race & Cognition Using Digital Text
From The Theme DIGITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHAT IF What if we could investigate how different racial representations impact student learning experiences via digital media? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to explore how race and culture impact students’ learning and sense of belonging in the classroom. Our research investigated how altering racial […]
Developing Written and Game-based Assessment Tools to Measure the Effectiveness of Math Video Games
From The Theme DIGITAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHAT IF What if we could provide hard evidence of the effectiveness of game based learning? WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO We set out to conduct research on learning outcomes from math video games, and to evaluate and improve assessment tools. Researchers explored differences in the mathematical proficiency […]